The Will To Live
He lay on the sofa in one of the many sitting rooms in the large, empty manor. She was gone and had taken his will to live with her. He rolled over and could hear the crinkle of sweets-wrappers beneath him. He pulled the large afghan higher, blocking out the sun streaming in from the windows. He wanted to get up, pull the velvet curtains tight, but even that felt like too much effort. He sighed deeply and tried to let sleep take him.
Distantly, he could hear someone calling his name. He winced. He wasn’t ready to talk.
“Draco? Mate? I know you are around here somewhere. Bloody mansion has too many rooms.”
The double doors swung open, and Theo marched in. “Ha! I’ve found you.”
Draco buried himself even further under the blanket, inhaling the scent of her from it, and closed his eyes.
“Oh no, ya don’t,” Theo yelled, pulling the cover away.
Draco sucked in a breath as the chill of the room overtook him, and he shivered. He knew how pathetic he must look, curled on the sofa, hair greasy, clothes in shambles. But he found he no longer cared.
“Go away, Theo. Let me wither away in peace.”
Theo scanned the room, noticing the dirty plates, used cups, and takeout trash. “Have you moved from this room since she left?”
Draco shrugged. “What’s the point?”
“You have to shower at least.” Theo shook his head. “This is pathetic. Hermi-”
“No,” Draco shouted, cutting Theo off. “Don’t say her name.”
Theo stepped back, holding his hands up. “Easy, mate. Just come out with me tonight. Grab some drinks, maybe play cards.”
“Go without me. I’ll only drag you down. Give me back my blanket and leave me to my despair.”
Later, days, weeks, maybe even months later, the doors opened again. He smelled her sweet perfume, heard her soft voice.
“Draco?”
He ran to her, lifting her in his arms and spinning. “You came back!” He kissed her deeply.
She pulled back, laughing. “You’re ridiculous. I was only at my parents for a week.”